Radhe Review: The Unwanted Bhai

Salman Khan is the quintessential Indian mass hero. Most of the mass entertainers starring such superstars run on a predictable template. It was expected that ‘Radhe’, his latest collaboration with director Prabhudeva, tread on the same lines. What was not expected is its range of formulaic sequences, right from the first scene to the climax, it is riddled with one cliché after the other. 

‘Radhe’, which is currently streaming on Zee Plex and ZEE5, begins with a team of high-ranking police officers decides to call back the suspended cop to clean the city’s drug menace. The suspended cop is Radhe (Salman Khan), who makes an entry piercing through a glass. Make no mistake, Radhe, the police officer, doesn’t need to find out who the drug kingpin is. The mafia don is Rana (Randeep Hooda) and his activities are well-documented by the police. All he needs is to nab him. 

A simplistic plot with a little bit of story borrowed from Koreana drama “The Outlaws” (Yes, it is the official remake of the Korean action movie).

There is no major revelations nor does it throw suspense elements. The writing is lousy and the direction is mediocre. 

While Salman Khan shines in his typical manner playing the larger-than-life role, the director and writers seem to have no ammunition to make it a blast of entertainer. In particular, the screenplay and the writing are lackluster. 

Formulaic masala films can also make good entertainers (example: Krack) if they are packaged in a comparatively better way, but Prabhudeva’s tacky direction makes it a boring affair. 

Salman Khan’s immense charisma and his swag are the saving grace besides the action choreography. The original Korean stunt masters are said to have composed action sequences that are impressive. Randeep Hooda as a villain is okay.

The much-hyped Devi Sri Prasad’s “Seetimaar” remix song that appears towards the end of the film is better among all the tracks.

Bottom-line: Resting on a clichéd plot, ‘Radhe’ is bogged down by silly writing and formulaic narration. An unwanted movie!

Reviewed by Jalapathy Gudelli
Rating: 1.75/5